Chapter 63
Jiang Li quickened her pace, leaving the crowd and heading toward the center of the plaza.
As she walked, she lifted her sleeve and glanced at her arm.
The exposed part of her arm was covered in disgusting, hard bumps.
It seemed the Pollution Source was indeed on Floor -3.
Those pork pieces were the Pollution Source.
Jiang Li took out a cup of Honey Water from her Space and drank it quickly.
A few seconds later, the bumps on her hand faded at a speed visible to the naked eye.
This trip to Floor -3 had not been fruitless.
Jiang Li’s Space now contained another item-a knife stained with pig’s blood.
The fourth rule of the Back Kitchen Warehouse Work Rules should not be ignored:
[Do not let a sharp instrument stained with pig’s blood cut your skin. If it happens, immediately stop working and go to the Second Floor Clinic for treatment!]
This indicated that a “knife stained with pig’s blood” might hold special significance for the Aberration in the Instance.
The key was not the knife itself, but the pig’s blood on it-or perhaps… human blood.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Li headed toward the hospital building.
The clues she had gathered tonight were already sufficient.
Jiang Li planned to return to her ward and reconsider her next steps.
Unexpectedly, when Jiang Li reached the bottom of the hospital building and looked up, she saw that the light in the Emergency Room at the far end of the second floor was on.
Moreover, beneath the first floor of the hospital, close to the ground, black mist was continuously rising.
From the outside, it seemed the densest black mist was coming from “Floor 0” beneath the first floor.
About ten seconds later, the light in the Emergency Room went out.
At the same time, the black mist under the first floor also disappeared.
Jiang Li did not continue into the building.
Instead, she sidestepped and hid behind the Bulletin Board next to the building.
She couldn’t enter yet; if she went in now, she would likely run into whoever was coming out of the Emergency Room.
Jiang Li crouched nearby and watched.
Soon, two men came out of the building.
One walked in front, looking like a leader.
But his head resembled a scorpion, and he wore a protective mask over his mouth.
The other man followed behind, and Jiang Li instantly recognized him-it was Doctor Hao!
Jiang Li recalled the seventh rule of the Night Rules:
[Doctors and nurses have already finished work and are resting. They will not visit late at night.]
This rule was wrong.
In fact, earlier, the Pink Nurse hiding in the Toilet had already hinted at the error in this rule.
When night falls, the nurse from the Toilet will definitely appear in Ward 402.
The “Fake Nurse” is also a nurse.
Moreover, all the nurses in this hospital are fake!
Pulling her thoughts back, Jiang Li continued to watch the two men.
The two exited the hospital’s revolving door, coming down the steps.
“Dean, let me see you off,” Doctor Hao hurried two steps to catch up with the man in front.
The Dean waved his hand, his Eyes narrowing, “No need, no need, Xiao Hao, you’ve worked hard today. Your recent performance has been excellent.”
“Dean, you flatter me. It’s all thanks to your guidance; a good teacher makes good students,” Doctor Hao replied modestly with a smile.
The Dean seemed pleased with the compliment.
He took the keys from his waist and handed them to Hao Huairen:
“You’re a smart man. If only your Senior Sister Lin had been half as sensible as you back then.”
At the mention of “Senior Sister Lin,” a flicker of emotion flashed in Hao Huairen’s eyes.
Just for a moment.
Hao Huairen quickly composed himself and humbly accepted the Dean’s car keys.
“Dean, please wait a moment. I’ll go to the garage and get your car.”
With that, Hao Huairen left.
The Dean kept his hands behind his back, waiting at the edge of the plaza.
Soon after.
Two beams of headlights swept across, dazzling in the pitch-black plaza.
A low-key yet luxurious Toyota Century came to a steady stop in front of the Dean.
This black Toyota Century looked understated, but it was anything but cheap.
During her time studying at Huaqing University, Jiang Li occasionally saw her overseas Chinese classmates driving this car.
The car looked quite ordinary, but in the country, it was extremely hard to come by-even money couldn’t buy it.
The car door opened, and Hao Huairen got out from the driver’s seat, helping the Dean into the car.
Then, the Dean drove away, while Hao Huairen remained in place, watching him leave.
Illuminated by the headlights, Jiang Li could clearly see Doctor Hao’s face.
His entire face had almost changed.
The upper half of his face, uncovered by a mask, was now completely covered in Snake Scales.
Doctor Hao’s contamination had worsened.
He hadn’t gone to Floor -3, only to the Emergency Room, yet his contamination had still intensified.
What exactly happened in the Emergency Room…
After sending off the Dean, Doctor Hao headed to the small shop beside the building.
The Nighttime Snack Shop glowed with a hazy, warm light and was open for business at this hour.
Jiang Li used the cover of night to conceal herself and followed quietly.
She hid by the side wall of the shop.
From Jiang Li’s perspective, she could see a stone statue at the entrance of the shop-it was a dog.
Looking closely, the dog’s figure seemed somewhat familiar.
Inside the shop, the conversation between Doctor Hao and Shopkeeper Shi drifted out.
“Working overtime again today, Doctor Hao?” the shopkeeper asked politely.
Doctor Hao replied, “Mm, I’m hungry from working late, came to buy some snacks.”
“By the way, Shopkeeper Shi, did the snacks you promised to order for me last time arrive?”
“They did, they did! I saved them for you!”
After Shopkeeper Shi spoke, he handed Doctor Hao a bag.
The contents of the bag squeaked incessantly.
Doctor Hao paid, grabbed something from inside, and stuffed it into his mouth, juice bursting with every bite.
The little creature squeaked twice more in agony, then fell silent.
Judging by the sound, it seemed very much like a mouse.
While Jiang Li kept an eye on their movements, she also looked at the rules posted at the shop entrance.
[Asylum Convenience Store Rules]
[1. The Black Dog at the entrance is the shopkeeper’s treasure. Remember, never damage it.]
[2. The Nighttime Snack Shop is open from 00:00 to 07:00. All kinds of guests are welcome.]
[3. The shop uses a “barter” system for sales, adhering to the principle of equivalent exchange.]
[…]
Jiang Li hadn’t finished reading when she heard Doctor Hao’s footsteps heading out.
She quickly withdrew her gaze and hid behind the corner wall.
“Shopkeeper Shi, may your business prosper. I’m leaving.”
Doctor Hao finished his snack, burped contentedly, and left the shop.
Shopkeeper Shi replied, “You too, may your business prosper! Come again anytime.”
At the entrance, Doctor Hao knocked three times on something before finally leaving the shop.
Seeing Doctor Hao exit the Nighttime Snack Shop, Jiang Li cautiously followed him again.
She trailed Doctor Hao all the way to the garage on the side of the plaza.
Doctor Hao took out his car keys, unlocked the car, and got in.
The car passed through Jiang Li’s field of vision, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust.
Doctor Hao drove toward the large iron gate, leaving the Madhouse.
Jiang Li stared blankly at Doctor Hao’s departing car.
Just what kind of business is Doctor Hao running?
And why did the shopkeeper wish him prosperous business…
Does this mean that the contamination in the Madhouse is closely tied to this “business”?
Jiang Li emerged from the shadows and turned toward the hospital building.
She hesitated, wondering whether she should visit the shop to gather more information.
Just then, two beams of headlights suddenly shone directly onto Jiang Li’s face.
The intense light stung Jiang Li’s Eyes.
She instinctively raised her arm to shield herself, turning her head toward the source of the light.
Not far away,
The black Toyota Century slammed on the accelerator, charging straight toward Jiang Li.